Qualifying – Hamilton sparkling in Texas, Ocon in form

The Briton moved a step above his opponents, even if Vettel tried to get closer at the end of the session.

Published on 22/10/2017 à 00:13

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Qualifying – Hamilton sparkling in Texas, Ocon in form

The sharp rise in temperatures observed on the tarmac in Austin (Texas) could have thwarted the plans for a Mercedes very efficient when the track is fresh. It did not happen : Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) mastered his subject as rarely during qualifying. Setting the lap record several times throughout the session, the Englishman hit the nail on the head with a time of 1'33"108 during his first effort in Q3. The leader of the general classification thus signs his 72 pole in the discipline without the slightest dispute.

Behind, Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) raised the bar by finishing (almost) on his heels, exactly 239 thousandths behind. “I am very satisfied, but we lacked a little rhythm at the end of the first sector”, he explains. In the second curtain, Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes, 3rd) and Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari, 4th) did not fight for the first row.

The unprecedented opposing duel Nico Hulkenberg (Renault) and his new teammate Carlos Sainz Jr turned to the advantage of the latter (8th), with a downside however. The German did not wish to participate in Q2 after suffering a 20-place grid penalty for an engine change, and preferred to save his mount.

As for the French, Esteban Ocon (Force India), author of the 7th fastest time, easily beat his teammate Sergio Pérez and will start one place higher on the grid; Max Verstappen (Red Bull, 6th) is also penalized for changing mechanical parts. Romain Grosjean (Haas, 14th) got a big scare when Lance stroll (Williams) dangerously obstructed him at the end of his flying turn. The collision was narrowly avoided, and the commissioners are looking into the Canadian's attitude.

Another Texas newbie, Brendon Hartley (Toro Rosso) did his best for his first participation in Formula 1. The world championEndurance 2015, replacing Pierre Gasly, signed the 18th fastest time, and is ahead of more experienced drivers such as Pascal Wehrlein (Sauber) and Kevin Magnussen (Haas).